THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

THE NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY 

3.  Constitution of the National Legal Services Authority. 
3A. Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. 
4.  Functions of the Central Authority. 
5.  Central Authority to work in coordination with other agencies. 

CHAPTER III 

STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY 

6.  Constitution of State Legal Services Authority. 
7.  Functions of the State Authority. 
8.  State Authority to act in coordination with other agencies, etc., and be subject to directions given 

by the Central Authority. 

8A. High Court Legal Services Committee. 
9.  District Legal Services Authority. 
10.  Functions of the District Authority 
11.  District Authority to act in coordination with other agencies and be subject to directions given by 

the Central Authority, etc. 

11A. Taluk Legal Services Committee. 
11B. Functions of Taluk Legal Services Committee. 

CHAPTER IV 

ENTITLEMENT TO LEGAL SERVICES 

12.  Criteria for giving legal services. 
13.  Entitlement of legal services. 

14.  Grants by the Central Government. 

CHAPTER V 

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

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SECTIONS 

15.  National Legal Aid Fund. 
16.  State Legal Aid Fund. 
17.  District Legal Aid Fund. 
18.  Accounts and audit. 

CHAPTER VI 

LOKADALATS 

19.  Organisation of Lok Adalats. 
20.  Cognizance of cases by Lok Adalats. 
21.  Award of Lok Adalat. 
22.  Powers of Lok Adalat or Permanent Lok Adalat. 

CHAPTER VIA 

PRE-LITIGATION CONCILIATION AND SETTLEMENT 

22A. Definitions. 
22B. Establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats. 
22C. Cognizance of cases by Permanent Lok Adalat. 
22D. Procedure of Permanent Lok Adalat. 
22E.Award of Permanent Lok Adalat to be final. 

CHAPTER VII 

MISCELLANEIOUS 

23.  Members and staff of Authorities, Committees and Lok Adalats to be public  servants. 
24.  Protection of action taken in good faith. 
25.  Act to have overriding effect. 
26.  Power to remove difficulties. 
27. Power of Central Government to make rules. 
28. Power of State Government to make rules. 
29.Power of Central Authority to make regulations. 
29A. Power of State Authority to make regulations. 
30. Laying of rules and regulations 

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THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987 

ACT NO. 39 OF 1987 

An Act to constitute legal services authorities to provide free and competent legal services to the 
weaker sections of the society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied 
to  any  citizen  by  reason  of  economic  or  other  disabilities,  and  to  organize  Lok  Adalats  to 
secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity. 

BE it enacted by the Parliament in the Thirty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

[11th October, 1987.] 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.—This Act may be called the Legal Services Authorities 

Act, 1987. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India, 1***. 
(3) It shall come into force on such date2 as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint; 
and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different States, and any 
reference to commencement in any provision of this Act in relation to any State shall be construed as a 
reference to the commencement of that provision in that State. 

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 
3[(a) “case” includes a suit or any proceeding before a court; 

(aa) “Central Authority” means the National Legal Services Authority constituted under section3; 

(aaa)  “court”  means  a  civil,  criminal  or  revenue  court  and  includes  any  tribunal  or  any  other 
authority constituted under any law for the time being in force, to exercise judicial or quasi-judicial 
functions;] 

(b) “District Authority” means a District Legal Services Authorityconstituted under section9; 
4[(bb)  “High  Court  Legal  Services  Committee”  means  a  High  Court  Legal  Services  Committee 

constituted under section8A;] 

(c) “legal service” includes the rendering of any service in the conduct of any case or other legal 
proceeding  before  any  court  or  other  authority  or  tribunal  and  the  giving  of  advice  on  any  legal 
matter; 

(d)“Lok Adalat” means a Lok Adalat organised under Chapter VI; 

(e) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
3[(ff) “regulations” means regulations made under this Act;] 

(g) “scheme” means any scheme framed by the Central Authority, a State Authority or a District 

Authority for the purpose of giving effect to any of the provisions of this Act; 

(h) “State Authority” means a State Legal Services Authority constituted under section6; 

(i) “State Government” includes the administrator of a Union territory appointed by the President 

under article 239 of the Constitution; 

1. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 
  2019). 
2. 9th November, 1995, vide notification No. S.O. 893(E), dated 9th November, 1995, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part 

II, sec. 3(ii).  

3. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 2, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
4. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

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1[(j)  “Supreme  Court  Legal  Services  Committee”  means  the  Supreme  Court  Legal  Services 

Committee constituted under section3A; 

(k)  “Taluk  Legal  Services  Committee”  means  a  Taluk  Legal  Services  Committee  constituted 

under section11A.] 

(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment or any provision thereof shall, in relation to an 
area in which such enactment or provision is not in force, be construed as a reference to the corresponding 
law or the relevant provision of the corresponding law, if any, in force in that area. 

CHAPTER II 

THE NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY 

2[3.  Constitution  of  the  National  Legal  Services  Authority.—(1)  The  Central  Government  shall 
constitute a body to be called the National Legal Services Authority to exercise the powers and perform 
the functions conferred on, or assigned to, the Central Authority under this Act. 

(2) The Central Authority shall consist of— 

(a) theChief Justice of India who shall be the Patron-in-Chief; 

(b)  a  serving  or  retired  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  to  be  nominated  by  the  President,  in 

consultation with the Chief Justice of India, who shall be the Executive Chairman; and 

(c)  such  number  of  other  members,  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications,  as  may  be 
prescribed by the Central Government, to be nominated by that Government in consultation with the 
Chief Justice of India. 

(3) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appoint a person to 
be the Member-Secretary of the Central Authority, possessing such experience and qualifications as may 
be prescribed by that Government, to exercise such powers and perform such duties under the Executive 
Chairman of the Central Authority as  may be prescribed by that Government or as may be assigned to 
him by the Executive Chairman of that Authority. 

(4) The terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and the Member-Secretary 
of the Central Authority shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation 
with the Chief Justice of India. 

(5)  The  Central  Authority  may  appoint  such  number  of  officers  and  other employees  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  Central  Government,  in  consultation  with  the  Chief  Justice  of  India,  for  the  efficient 
discharge of its functions under this Act. 

(6) The  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  Central  Authority  shall  be  entitled  to  such  salary  and 
allowances and shall be subject to such other conditions of service as may be prescribed by the Central 
Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. 

(7)  The  administrative  expenses  of  the  Central  Authority,  including  the  salaries,  allowances  and 
pensions payable to the Member-Secretary, officers and other employees of the Central Authority, shall 
be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of India. 

(8) All orders and decisions of the Central Authority shall be authenticated by the Member-Secretary 
or any other officer of the Central Authority duly authorised by the Executive Chairman of that Authority. 

(9)  No  act  or  proceeding  of  the  Central  Authority  shall  be  invalid  merely  on  the  ground  of  the 

existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Central Authority. 

3A.  Supreme  Court  Legal  Services  Committee.—(1)  The  Central  Authority  shall  constitute  a 
committee to be called the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for the purpose of exercising such 

1. Ins. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 2 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for section 3 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

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powers  and  performing  such  functions  as  may  be  determined  by  regulations  made  by  the  Central 
Authority. 

(2) The Committee shall consist of— 

(a) a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court who shall be the Chairman; and 

(b)  such  number  of  other  members  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications  as  may  be 

prescribed by the Central Government,  

to be nominated by the Chief Justice of India. 

(3) The Chief Justice of India shall appoint a person to be the Secretary to the Committee, possessing 

such experience and qualifications as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

(4)  The  terms  of  office  and  other  conditions  relating  thereto,  of  the  members  and  Secretary  of  the 

Committee shall be such as may be determined by regulations made by the Central Authority. 

(5) The Committee may appoint such number of officers and other employees as may be prescribed 
by the Central Government, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, for the efficient discharge of 
its functions. 

(6) The officers and other employees of the Committee shall be entitled to such salary and allowances 
and shall be subject to such other conditions of service as may be prescribed by the Central Government 
in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.] 

4. Functions of the Central Authority.—The Central Authority shall 1*** perform all or any of the 

following functions, namely:— 

(a) lay down policies and principles for making legal services available under the provisions of 

this Act; 

(b)  frame  the  most  effective  and  economical  schemes  for  the  purpose  of  making  legal  services 

available under the provisions of this Act; 

(c)  utilise  the  funds  at  its  disposal  and  make  appropriate  allocations  of  funds  to  the  State 

Authorities and District Authorities; 

(d)  take  necessary  steps  by  way  of  social  justice  litigation  with  regard  to  consumer  protection, 
environmental protection or any other matter of special concern to the weaker sections of the society 
and for this purpose, give training to social workers in legal skills; 

(e)  organise  legal  aid  camps,  especially  in  rural  areas,  slums  or  labour  colonies  with  the  dual 
purpose of educating the weaker sections of the society as to their rights as well as encouraging the 
settlement of disputes through LokAdalats; 

(f) encourage the settlement of disputes by way of negotiations, arbitration and conciliation; 

(g) undertake and promote research in the field of legal services with special reference to the need 

for such services among the poor; 

(h) to do all things necessary for the purpose of ensuring commitment to the fundamental duties 

of citizens under Part IVA of the Constitution; 

(i)  monitor  and  evaluate  implementation  of  the  legal  aid  programmes  at  periodic  intervals  and 
provide for independent evaluation of programmes and schemes implemented in whole or in part by 
funds provided under this Act; 

1. The words “, subject to the general directions of the Central Government,” omitted by Act of 59 of 1994, s. 4 (w.e.f. 29-10-

1994). 

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1[(j) provide grants-in-aid for specific schemes to various voluntary social service institutions and 
the  State  and  District  Authorities,  from  out  of  the  amounts  placed  at  its  disposal  for  the 
implementation of the legal services schemes under the provisions of this Act;] 

(k)  develop,  in  consultation  with  the  Bar  Council  of  India,  programmes  for  clinical  legal 
education and promote guidance and supervise the establishment and working of legal services clinics 
in universities, law colleges and other institutions; 

(l) take appropriate measures for spreading legal literacy and legal awareness amongst the people 
and,  in  particular,  to  educate  weaker  sections  of  the  society  about  the  rights,  benefits  and 
privileges guaranteed  by  social  welfare  legislations  and  other  enactments  as  well  as  administrative 
programmes and measures; 

(m) make special efforts to enlist the support of voluntary social welfare institutions working at 
the grass-root level, particularly among the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, women and 
rural and urban labour; and 

(n)  coordinate  and  monitor  the  functioning  of  2[State Authorities,  District  Authorities,  Supreme 
Court  Legal  Services  Committee,  High  Court  Legal  Services  Committees,  Taluk  Legal  Services 
Committees and voluntary social service institutions] and other legal services organisations and give 
general directions for the proper implementation of the legal services programmes. 

5.  Central  Authority  to  work  in  coordination  with  other  agencies.—In  the  discharge  of  its 
functions under this Act, the Central Authority shall, wherever appropriate, act in coordination with other 
governmental and non-governmental agencies, universities and others engaged in the work of promoting 
the cause of legal services to the poor. 

CHAPTER III 

STATE LEGAL SERVICESAUTHORITY 

3[6. Constitution of State Legal Services Authority.—(1) Every State Government shall constitute a 
body  to  be  called  the  Legal  Services  Authority  for  the  State  to  exercise  the  powers  and  perform  the 
functions conferred on, or assigned to, a State Authority under this Act. 

(2) A State Authority shall consist of— 

(a) the Chief Justice of the High Court who shall be the Patron-in-Chief; 

(b) a serving or retired Judge of the High Court, to be nominated by the Governor, in consultation 

with the Chief Justice of the High Court, who shall be the Executive Chairman; and 

(c)  such  number  of  other  members,  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government,  to  be  nominated  by  that  Government  in  consultation  with  the 
Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(3) The State Government shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, appoint a 
person belonging to the State Higher Judicial Service, not lower in rank than that of a District Judge, as 
the Member-Secretary of the State Authority, to exercise such powers and perform such duties under the 
Executive  Chairman  of  the  State  Authority  as  may  be  prescribed  by  that  Government  or  as  may  be 
assigned to him by the Executive Chairman of that Authority. 

Provided that a person functioning as Secretary of a State Legal Aid and Advice Board immediately 
before  the  date  of  constitution  of  the  State  Authority  may  be  appointed  as  Member-Secretary  of  that 
Authority,  even  if  he  is  not  qualified  to  be  appointed  as  such  under  this  sub-section,  for  a  period  not 
exceeding five years. 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 4, for clause (j) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “State and District Authorities and other voluntary social welfare institutions”  (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
3. Subs. by s. 5,ibid., for section 6 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

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(4) The terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and the Member-Secretary 
of the State Authority shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government in consultation with 
the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(5)  The  State  Authority  may  appoint  such  number  of  officers  and  other employees  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government,  in  consultation  with  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court,  for  the 
efficient discharge of its functions under thisAct. 

(6)  The  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  State  Authority  shall  be  entitled  to  such  salary  and 
allowances  and  shall  be  subject  to  such  other  conditions  of  service  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(7)  The  administrative  expenses  of  the  State  Authority,  including  the  salaries,  allowances  and 
pensions payable to the Member-Secretary, officers and other employees of the State Authorityshall be 
defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of the State. 

(8) All orders and decisions of the State Authority shall be authenticated by the Member-Secretary or 
any other officer of the State Authority duly authorised by the Executive Chairman of the State Authority. 

(9) No act or proceeding of a State Authority shall be invalid merely on the ground of the existence of 

any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the State Authority.] 

7. Functions of the State Authority.—(1) It shall be the duty of the State Authority to give to effect 

to the policy and directions of the Central Authority. 

(2)  Without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  functions  referred  to  in  sub-section(1),  the  State 

Authority shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:— 

(a) give legal service to persons who satisfy the criteria laid down under this Act; 
(b) conduct1[LokAdalats, including LokAdalats for High Court cases]; 

(c) undertake preventive and strategic legal aid programmes; and 
(d)  perform  such  other  functions  as  the  State  Authority  may,  in  consultation with  the 2[Central 

Authority], fix by regulations. 
3[8. State Authority to act in coordination with other agencies., etc., and be subject to directions 
given  by  the  Central  Authority.—In  the  discharge  of  its  functions  the  State  Authority  shall 
appropriately  act  in  coordination  with  other  governmentalagencies,  non-governmental  voluntary  social 
service  institutions,  universities  and  other  bodies  engaged  in  the  work  of  promoting  the  cause  of  legal 
services to the poor and shall also be guided by such directions as the Central Authority may give to it in 
writing. 

8A. High Court Legal Services Committee.—(1) The State Authority shall constitute a Committee 
to be called the High Court Legal Services Committee for every High Court, for the purpose of exercising 
such  powers  and  performing  such  functions  as  may  be  determined  by  regulations  made  by  the  State 
Authority. 

(2) The Committee shall consist of— 

(a) a sitting Judge of the High Court who shall be the Chairman; and 

(b)  such  number  of  other  members  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications  as  may  be 

determined by regulations made by the State Authority,  

to be nominated by the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(3) The Chief Justice of the High Court shall appoint a Secretary to the Committee possessing such 

experience and qualifications as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 6, for “LokAdalats” (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “Central Government” (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
3. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for sections 8 and 9 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

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(4)  The  terms  of  office  and  other  conditions  relating  thereto,  of  the  members  and  Secretary  of  the 

Committee shall be such as may be determined by regulations made by the State Authority. 

(5) The Committee may appoint such number of officers and other employees as may be prescribed 
by  the  State  Governmentin  consultation  with  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court  for  the  efficient 
discharge of its functions. 

(6) The officers and other employees of the Committee shall be entitled to such salary and allowances 
and shall be subject to such other conditions of Service as may be prescribed by the State Government in 
consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

9.  District  Legal  Services  Authority.—(1)  The  State  Government  shall,  in  consultation  with  the 
Chief Justice of the High Court, constitute a body to be called the District Legal Services Authority for 
every District in the State to exercise the powers and perform the functions conferred on, or assigned to, 
the District Authority under this Act. 

(2) A District Authority shall consist of— 

(a) the District Judge who shall be its Chairman; and 

(b)  such  number  of  other  members,  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications,  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government,  to  be  nominated  by  that  Government  in  consultation  with  the 
Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(3) The State Authority shall, in consultation with the Chairman of the District Authority, appoint a 
person belonging to the State Judicial Service not lower in rank than that of a Subordinate Judge or Civil 
Judge  posted  at  the  seat  of  the  DistrictJudiciary  as  Secretary  of  the  District  Authority  to  exercise  such 
powers  and  perform such  duties  under  the  Chairman  of  that  Committee  as  may  be  assigned  to  him  by 
such Chairman. 

(4) The terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and Secretary of the District 
Authority shall be such as may be determined by regulations made by the State Authority in consultation 
with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(5)  The  District  Authority  may  appoint  such  number  of  officers  and  other  employees  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government  in  consultation  with  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court  for  the 
efficient discharge of its functions. 

(6)  The  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  District  Authority  shall  be  entitled  to  such  salary  and 
allowances  and  shall  be  subject  to  such  other  conditions  of  service  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(7) The  administrative  expenses  of  every  District  Authority,  including  the  salaries,  allowances  and 
pensions  payable  to  the  Secretary,  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  District  Authority,  shall  be 
defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of the State. 

(8) All orders and decisions of the District Authority shall be authenticated by the Secretary or by any 

other officer of the District Authority duly authorised by the Chairman of that Authority. 

(9)  No  act  or  proceeding  of  the  District  Authority  shall  be  invalid  merely  on  the  ground  of  the 

existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the District Authority.] 

10.  Functions  of  the  District  Authority.—(1)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  District  Authority  to 
perform such of the functions of the State Authority in the District as may be delegated to it from time to 
time by the State Authority. 

(2)  Without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  functions  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1),  the  District 

Authority may perform all or any of the following functions, namely:— 

1[(a) coordinate the activities of the Taluk Legal Services Committee and other legal services in 

the District;] 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 8, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

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(b) organize Lok Adalats within the District; and 
(c) perform such other functions as the State Authority may 1*** fix by regulations. 

11.  District  Authority  to  act  in  coordination  with  other  agencies  and  be  subject  to  directions 
given  by  the  Central  Authority,  etc.—In  the  discharge  of  its  functions  under  this  Act,  the  District 
Authority shall, wherever appropriate, act in coordination with other governmental and non-governmental 
institutions, universities and others engaged in the work of promoting the cause of legal services to the 
poor and shall also be guided by such directions as the Central Authority or the State Authority may give 
to it in writing. 

2[11A. Taluk Legal Services Committee.—(1) The State Authority may constitute a Committee, to 
be called the Taluk Legal Services Committee, for each taluk or mandal or for group of taluks or mandals. 

(2) The Committee shall consist of— 

(a)  The 3[senior-most  Judicial  Officer]  operating  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Committee  who 

shall be the ex officio Chairman; and 

(b)  such  number  of  other  members,  possessing  such  experience  and  qualifications,  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the  State  Government,  to  be  nominated  by  that  Government  in  consultation  with  the 
Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(3) The Committee may appoint such number of officers and other employees as may be prescribed 
by  the  State  Government  in  consultation  with  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court  for  the  efficient 
discharge of its functions. 

(4) The officers and other employees of the Committee shall be entitled to such salary and allowances 
and shall be subject to such other conditions of service as may be prescribed by the State Government in 
consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(5)  The  administrative  expenses  of  the  Committee  shall  be  defrayed  out  of  the  District  Legal  Aid 

Fund by the District Authority. 

11B. Functions of Taluk Legal Services Committee.—The Taluk Legal Services Committee may 

perform all or any of the following functions, namely:— 

(a) co-ordinate the activities of legal services in the taluk; 

(b) organize Lok Adalats within the taluk; and 

(c) perform such other functions as the District Authority may assign to it.] 

CHAPTER IV 

ENTITLEMENT TO LEGAL SERVICES 

12.  Criteria  for  giving  legal  services.—Every  person  who  has  to  file  or  defend  a  case  shall  be 

entitled to legal services under this Act if that person is— 

(a) a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe; 

(b)  a  victim  of  trafficking  in  human  beings  or  begar  as  referred  to  in  article  23  of  the 

Constitution;  

(c) a woman or a child; 
4[(d) a person with disability as defined in clause (i) of section2 of the Persons With Disabilities 

(Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of 1996);] 

1. The words “, in consultation with the State Government,” omitted by Act 59 of 1994, s. 8 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
3. Subs. by Act 37 of 2002, s. 2, for “senior Civil Judge” (w.e.f. 11-6-2002). 
4. Subs. by Act 1 of 1996, s. 74, for clause (d) (w.e.f. 7-2-1996). 

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(e) a person under circumstances of underserved want such as being a victim of a mass disaster, 

ethnic, violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster; or 

(f) an industrial workman; or 

(g) in  custody,  including  custody  in  a  protective  home  within  the  meaning  of  clause  (g)  of            

section2 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (104 of 1956), or in a juvenile home within 
the  meaning  of  clause  (j)  of  section  2  of  the  Juvenile  Justice  Act,  1986  (53  of  1986),  or  in  a 
psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home within the meaning of clause (g) of section2 of the 
Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987); or 

1[(h) in receipt of annual income less than rupees nine thousand or such other higher amount as 
may  be  prescribed  by  the  State  Government,  if  the case  is  before  a  court  other  than  the  Supreme 
Court, and less than rupees twelve thousand or such other higher amount as may be prescribed by the 
Central Government, if the case is before the Supreme Court.] 

13.  Entitlement  of  legal  services.—(1)  Persons  who  satisfy  all  or  any  of  the  criteria  specified  in 
section 12 shall be entitled to receive legal services provided that the concerned Authority is satisfied that 
such person has aprima facie case to prosecute or to defend. 

(2)  An  affidavit  made  by  a  person  as  to  his  income  may  be  regarded  as  sufficient  for  making  him 
eligible to the entitlement of legal services under this Act unless the concerned Authority has reason to 
disbelieve such affidavit. 

CHAPTER V 

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

14.  Grants  by  the  Central  Government.—The  Central  Government  shall,  after  due  appropriation 
made by Parliament by law in this behalf, pay to the Central Authority, by way of grants, such sums of 
money as the Central Government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act. 

15.  National  Legal  Aid  Fund.—(1)  The  Central  Authority  shall  establish  a  fund  to  be  called  the 

National Legal Aid Fund and there shall be credited thereto— 

(a) all sums of money given as grants by the Central Government under section 14; 

(b) any grants or donations that may be made to the Central Authority by any other person for the 

purposes of this Act; 

(c) any amount received by the Central Authority under the orders of any court or from any other 

source. 

(2) The National Legal Aid Fund shall be applied for meeting— 

(a) the cost of legal services provided under this Act including grants made to State Authorities; 
2[(b) the cost of legal services provided by the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee; 

(c) any other expenses which are required to be met by the Central Authority.] 

16. State Legal Aid Fund.—(1) A State Authority shall establish a fund to be called the State Legal 

Aid Fund and there shall be credited thereto— 

(a) all sums of money paid to it or any grants by the Central Authority for the purposes of this 

Act; 

(b) any grants or donations that may be made to the State Authority by the State Government or 

by any person for the purposes  of this Act; 

(c) any other amount received by the State Authority under the orders of any court or from any 

other source. 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 10, for clause (h) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

10 

 
                                                           
(2) A State Legal Aid Fund shall be applied for meeting— 

(a) the cost of functions referred to in section 7; 
1[(b) the cost of legal services provided by the High Court Legal Services Committee; 

(c) any other expenses which are required to be met by the State Authority.] 

17.  District  Legal  Aid  Fund.—(1)  Every  District  Authority  shall  establish  a  fund  to  be  called  the 

District Legal Aid Fund and there shall be credited thereto— 

(a) all sums of money paid or any grants made by the State Authority to the District Authority for 

the purposes of this Act; 

2[(b) any grants or donations that may be made to the District Authority by any person, with the 

prior approval of the State Authority, for the purposes of this Act;] 

(c) anyother amount received by the District Authority under the orders of any court or from any 

other source. 

(2) A District Legal Aid Fund shall be applied for meeting— 

(a) the cost of functions referred to in section 10 3[and 11B]; 

(b) any other expenses which are required to be met by the District Authority. 

18.  Accounts  and  audit.—(1)  The  Central  Authority,  State  Authority,  or  the  District  Authority 
(hereinafter  referred  to  in  this  section  as  ‘the  authority’),  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  maintain  proper 
accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts including the income and 
expenditure account and the balance-sheet in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the 
Central Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(2) The accounts of the Authorities shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India 
at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit 
shall be payable by the Authority concerned to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(3)  The  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  of  India  and  any  other  person  appointed  by  him  in 
connection with the auditing of the accounts of an Authority under this Act shall have the same rights and 
privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India 
has in connection with the auditing of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to 
demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to 
inspect any of the offices of the Authorities under this Act. 

(4) The accounts of the Authorities, as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or 
any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon, shall be forwarded 
annually by the Authorities to the Central Government or the State Governments, as the case may be. 

4[(5) The Central Government shall cause the accounts and the audit report received by it under sub-

section (4) to be laid, as soon as may be after they are received, before each House of Parliament. 

(6)  The  State  Government  shall  cause  the  accounts  and  the  audit  report  received  by  it  under  sub-

section (4) to be laid, as soon as may be after they are received, before the State Legislature.] 

5[19. Organisation of Lok Adalats.—(1) Every State Authority or District Authority or the Supreme 
Court Legal Services Committee or every High Court Legal Services Committee or, as the case may be, 

CHAPTER VI 

LOK ADALATS 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 12, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
2. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
3. Ins. by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
4. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 
5. Subs. by s. 15, ibid., for sections 19 and 20 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

11 

 
                                                           
Taluk  Legal  Services  Committee  may  organize  Lok  Adalats  at  such  intervals  and  places  and  for 
exercising such jurisdiction and for such areas as it thinks fit. 

(2) Every Lok Adalat organised for an area shall consist of such number of— 

(a) serving or retired judicial officers; and 

(b) other persons,  

of  the  area  as  may  be  specified  by  the  State  Authority  or  the  District  Authority  or  the  Supreme  Court 
Legal Services Committee or the High Court Legal Services Committee, or as the case may be, the Taluk 
Legal Services Committee, organising such Lok Adalat. 

(3) The experience and qualifications of other persons referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (2) for 
Lok  Adalats  organised  by  the  Supreme  Court  Legal  Services Committee  shall  be  such  as  may  be 
prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. 

(4) The experience and qualifications of other persons referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (2) for 
Lok  Adalats  other  than  referred  to  in  sub-section  (3)  shall  be  such  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. 

(5) A  Lok  Adalat  shall  have  jurisdiction  to  determine  and  to  arrive  at  a  compromise  or  settlement 

between the parties to a dispute in respect of— 

(i) any case pending before; or 

(ii) any matter which is falling within the jurisdiction of, and is not brought before,  

any Court for which the Lok Adalat is organised: 

Provided that the Lok Adalat shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any case or matter relating to an 

offence not compoundable under any law. 

20.  Cognizance  of  cases  by  Lok  Adalats.—(1)  Where  in  any  case  referred  to  in  clause  (i)  of               

sub-section (5) of section 19,— 

(i)(a) the parties thereof agree; or 

(b) one of the parties thereof makes an application to the Court,  

for referring the case to the Lok Adalat for settlement and if such court isprima facie satisfied that there 
are chances of such settlement; or 

(ii) thecourt is satisfied that the matter is an appropriate one to be taken cognizance of by the Lok 

Adalat,  

the Court shall refer the case to the Lok Adalat: 

Provided that no case shall be referred to the Lok Adalat under sub-clause (b) of clause (i) or clause 

(ii) by such court except after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the parties. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any cither law for the time being in force, the Authority or 
Committee organising the Lok Adalat under sub-section (1) of section19 may, on receipt of an application 
from any one of the parties to any  matter referred to in clause (ii) of sub-section (5) of section 19 that 
such  matter  needs  to  be  determined  by  a  Lok  Adalat,  refer  such  matter  to  the  Lok  Adalat,  for 
determination: 

Provided  that  no  matter  shall  be  referred  to  the  Lok  Adalat  except  after  giving  a  reasonable 

opportunity of being heard to the other party. 

(3) Where any case is referred to a Lok Adalat under sub-section (1) or where a reference has been 
made to it under sub-section (2), the Lok Adalat shall proceed to dispose of the case or matter and arrive 
at a compromise or settlement between the parties. 

12 

 
(4) Every Lok Adalat shall, while determining any reference before it under this Act, act with utmost 
expedition  to  arrive  at  a  compromise  or  settlement  between  the  parties  and  shall  be  guided  by  the 
principles of justice, equity, fair play and other legal principles. 

(5) Where no award is made by the Lok Adalat on the ground that no compromise or settlementcould 
be arrived at between the parties, the record of the case shall be returned by it to the court, from which the 
reference has been received under sub-section (1) for disposal in accordance with law. 

(6) Where no award is made by the Lok Adalat on the ground that no compromise or settlement could 
be arrived at between the parties, in a matter referred to in sub-section (2), that Lok Adalat shall advice 
the parties to seek remedy in a court. 

(7)  Where  the  record  of  the  case  if  returned  under  sub-section  (5)  to  the  court,  such court  shall 
proceed to deal with such case from the stage which was reached before such reference under sub-section 
(1).] 

21. Award of Lok Adalat.—1[(1) Every award of the Lok Adalat shall be deemed to be a decree of a 
civil court or, as the case may be, an order of any other court and where a compromise or settlement has 
been arrived at, by a Lok Adalat in a case referred to it under sub-section(1) of section 20, the court-fee 
paid in such case shall be refunded in the manner provided under the Court-fees Act, 1870 (7 of 1870).] 

(2) Every award made by a Lok Adalat shall be final and binding on all the parties to the dispute, and 

no appeal shall lie to any court against the award. 

22. Powers of 2[Lok Adalat or Permanent Lok Adalat.]—(1) The 2[Lok Adalat or Permanent Lok 
Adalat] shall, for the purposes of holding any determination under this Act, have the same powers as are 
vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit in respect 
of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) the summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and examining him on oath; 

(b) the discovery and production of any document; 

(c) the reception of evidence on affidavits; 

(d) the requisitioning of any public record or document or copy of such record or document from 

any court or office; and 

(e) such other matters as may be prescribed. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers contained in sub-section (1), every 2[Lok Adalat 
or  Permanent  Lok  Adalat]  shall  have  the  requisite  powers  to  specify  its  own  procedure  for  the 
determination of any dispute coming before it. 

(3) All proceedings before a 2[Lok Adalat or Permanent Lok Adalat] shall be deemed to be judicial 
proceedings within the meaning of sections 193,219 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) and 
every 2[Lok  Adalat  or  Permanent  Lok  Adalat]  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  Civil  Court  for  the  purpose  of 
section195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

3[CHAPTER VIA 

PRE-LITIGATION CONCILIATION AND SETTLEMENT 

22A.  Definitions.—In  this  Chapter  and  for  the  purposes  of  sections  22  and  23,  unless  the  context 

otherwise requires,— 

(a) “Permanent Lok Adalat” means a Permanent Lok Adalat established under sub-section (1) of 

section22B; 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 16, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 29-10-1994), 
2. Subs. by Act 37 of 2002, s. 3, for “Lok Adalat” (w.e.f. 11-6-2002). 
3. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 11-6-2002). 

13 

 
 
 
                                                           
(b) “public utility service” means any— 

(i) transport service for the carriage of passengers or goods by air, road or water; or 

(ii) postal, telegraph or telephone service; or 

(iii) supply of power, light or water to the public by any establishment; or 

(iv) system of public conservancy or sanitation; or 

(v) service in hospital or dispensary; or 

(vi)insurance service,  

and includes any service which the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, 
in  the  public  interest,  by  notification,  declare  to  be  a  public  utility  service  for  the  purposes  of  this 
Chapter. 

22B.  Establishment  of  Permanent  Lok  Adalats.—(1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in 
section19,  the  Central  Authority  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  every  State  Authority  shall,  by  notification, 
establish Permanent Lok Adalats at such places and for exercising such jurisdiction in respect of one or 
more public utility services and for such areas as may be specified in the notification. 

(2) Every Permanent Lok Adalat established for an area notified under sub-section (1) shall consist 

of— 

(a) a person who is, or has been, a district judge or additional district judge or has held judicial 
office higher in rank than that of a district judge, shall be the Chairman of the Permanent Lok Adalat; 
and 

(b) two other persons having adequate experience in public utility service to be nominated by the 
Central  Government  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  State  Government  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
Central Authority or, as the case may be, the State Authority,  

appointed  by  the  Central  Authority  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  State  Authority,  establishing  such 
Permanent Lok Adalat and the other terms and conditions of the appointment of the Chairman and other 
persons referred to in clause (b) shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government. 

22C. Cognizance of cases by Permanent Lok Adalat.—(1) Any party to a dispute may, before the 
dispute is brought before any court, make an application to the Permanent Lok Adalat for the settlement 
of dispute: 

Provided that the Permanent Lok Adalat shall not have jurisdiction in respect of any matter relating to 

an offence not compoundable under any law: 

Provided further that the Permanent Lok Adalat shall also not have jurisdiction in the matter where 

the value of the property in dispute exceeds ten lakh rupees: 

Provided also that the Central Government, may by notification, increase the limit often lakh rupees 

specified in the second proviso in consultation with the Central Authority. 

(2) After an application is made under sub-section(1) to the Permanent Lok Adalat, no party to that 

application shall invoke jurisdiction of any court in the same dispute. 

(3) Where an application is made to a Permanent Lok Adalat under sub-section(1), it— 

(a) shall direct each party to the application to file before it a written statement, stating therein 
the facts and nature of dispute under the application, points or issues in such dispute and grounds 
relied in support of, or in opposition to, such points or issues, as the case may be, and such party 
may  supplement  such  statement  with  any  document  and  other  evidence  which  such  party  deems 
appropriate in proof of such facts and grounds and shall send a copy of such statement together with 
a copy of such document and other evidence, if any, to each of the parties to the application; 

(b) may require any party to the application to file additional statement before it at any stage of 

the conciliation proceedings; 

14 

 
(c)  shall  communicate  any  document  or  statement  received  by  it  from  any  party  to  the 

application to the other party, to enable such other party to present reply thereto. 

(4) When statement, additional statement and reply, if any, have been filed under sub-section(3), to 
the satisfaction of the Permanent Lok Adalat, it shall conduct conciliation proceedings between the parties 
to  the  application  in  such  manner  as  it  thinks  appropriate  taking  into  account  the  circumstances  of  the 
dispute. 

(5)  The  Permanent  Lok  Adalat  shall,  during  conduct  of  conciliation  proceedings  under                           

sub-section(4),  assist  the  parties  in  their  attempt  to  reach  an  amicable  settlement  of  the  dispute  in  an 
independent and impartial manner. 

(6)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  every  party  to  the  application  to  cooperate  in  good  faith  with  the 
Permanent  Lok  Adalat  in conciliation  of the  dispute  relating  to  the  application and  to  comply  with  the 
direction of the Permanent Lok Adalat to produce evidence and other related documents before it. 

(7) When a Permanent Lok Adalat, in the aforesaid conciliation proceedings, is of opinion that there 
exist elements of settlement in such proceedings which may be acceptable to the parties, it may formulate 
the terms of a possible settlement of the dispute and give to the parties concerned for their observations 
and  in  case  the  parties  reach  at  an  agreement  on  the  settlement  of  the  dispute,  they  shall  sign  the 
settlement agreement and the Permanent Lok Adalat shall pass an award in terms thereof and furnish a 
copy of the same to each of the parties concerned. 

(8) Where the parties fail to reach at an agreement under sub-section (7), the Permanent Lok Adalat 

shall, if the dispute does not relate to any offence, decide the dispute. 

22D.  Procedure  of  Permanent  Lok  Adalat.—The  Permanent  Lok  Adalat  shall,  while  conducting 
conciliation  proceedings  or  deciding  a  dispute  on  merit  under  this  Act,  be  guided  by  the  principles  of 
natural justice, objectivity, fair play, equity and other principles of justice, and shall not be bound by the 
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872). 

22E.  Award of Permanent Lok Adalat to be final.—(1) Every award of the Permanent Lok Adalat 
under this Act made either on merit or in terms of a settlement agreement shall be final and binding on all 
the parties thereto and on persons claiming under them. 

(2) Every award of the Permanent Lok Adalat under this Act shall be deemed to be a decree of a civil 

court. 

(3) The award made by the Permanent Lok Adalat under this Act shall be by a majority of the persons 

constituting the Permanent Lok Adalat. 

(4)  Every  award  made  by  the  Permanent  Lok  Adalat  under  this  Act  shall  be  final  and  shall  not  be 

called in question in any original suit, application or execution proceeding. 

(5)  The  Permanent  Lok  Adalat  may  transmit  any  award  made  by  it  to  a  civil  court  having  local 

jurisdiction and such civil court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court.] 

CHAPTER VII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

1[23. Members and staff of Authorities, Committees and Lok Adalats to be public servants.—
The members including Member-Secretary or, as the case may be, Secretary of the Central Authority, the 
State Authority, the District Authorities, the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, High Court Legal 
Services  Committees,  Taluk  Legal  Services  Committees  and  officers  and  other  employees  of  such 
Authorities, Committees and the 2[members of the Lok Adalats or the persons constituting Permanent Lok 
Adalats] shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section21 of the Indian Penal Code 
(45 of 1860). 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 17, for sections 23 and 24 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994), 
2. Subs. by Act 37 of 2002, s. 5, for “members of the LokAdalats” (w.e.f. 11-6-2002).  

15 

 
 
 
                                                           
24. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall 

lie against— 

(a) the Central Government or State Government; 

(b) the Patron-in-Chief, Executive Chairman, members of, Member-Secretary or officers or other 

employees of the Central Authority; 

(c)  Patron-in-Chief,  Executive  Chairman,  member,  Member-Secretary  or  officers  or  other 

employees of the State Authority; 

(d)  Chairman,  Secretary,  members  or  officers  or  other  employees  of  the  Supreme  Court  Legal 
Services  Committee,  High  Court  Legal  Services  Committees,  Taluk  Legal  Services  Committees  or 
the District Authority; or 

(e)  any  other  person  authorised  by  any  of  the  Patron-in-Chief,  Executive  Chairman,  Chairman, 

Member, Member-Secretary referred to in sub-clauses (b) to (d),  

for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under the provisions of this Act or any 
rule or regulation made thereunder.] 

25.  Act  to  have  overriding  effect.—The  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  have  effect  notwithstanding 
anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument 
having effect by virtue of law other than this Act. 

26. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing 
the difficulty: 

Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of two years from the date on 

which this Act receives the assent of the President. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before each 

House of Parliament. 

1[27. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government in consultation 

with the Chief Justice of India may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) the  number,  experience  and  qualifications of  other  members  of  the  Central Authority  under 

clause (c) of sub-section(2) of section3; 

(b)  the  experience and qualifications  of  the Member-Secretary  of the  Central  Authority  and  his 

powers and functions under sub-section(3) of section3; 

(c) the terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and Member-Secretary of 

the Central Authority under sub-section(4) of section 3; 

(d) the number of officers and other employees of the Central Authority under sub-section(5) of 

section3; 

(e) the conditions of service and the salary and allowances of officers and other employees of the 

Central Authority under sub-section(6) of section3; 

(f) the number, experience and qualifications of members of the Supreme Court Legal Services 

Committee under clause (b) of sub-section(2) of section 3A; 

(g)  the  experience  and  qualifications  of  Secretary  of  the  Supreme  Court  Legal  Services 

Committee under sub-section(3) of section3A; 

1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 18, for sections 27, 28 and 29 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994). 

16 

 
                                                           
(h) the number of officers and other employees of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee 
under  sub-section(5)  of  section  3A  and  the  conditions  of  service  and  the  salary  and  allowances 
payable to them under sub-section(6) of that section; 

(i) the upper limit of annual income of a person entitling him to legal services under clause  (h) of 

section12, if the case is before the Supreme Court; 

(j) the manner in which the accounts of the Central Authority, the State Authority or the District 

Authority shall be maintained under section18; 

(k) the experience and qualifications of other persons of the LokAdalatsorganised by the Supreme 

Court Legal Services Committee specified in sub-section(3) of section19; 

(l) other matters under clause  (e) of sub-section(1) of section22; 
1[(la)  the  other  terms  and  conditions  of  appointment  of  the  Chairman  and  other  persons  under 

sub-section (2) of section 22B;] 

(m) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed. 

28. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1)The State Government in consultation with the 

Chief Justice of the High Court may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a)  the  number,  experience  and  qualifications  of  other  members  of  the  State  Authority  under 

clause  (c) of sub-section(2) of section6; 

(b) the powers and functions of the Member-Secretary of the State Authority under sub-section(3) 

of section6; 

(c) the terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and Member-Secretary of 

the State Authority under sub-section(4) of section6; 

(d)  the  number  of  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  State  Authority  under  sub-section(5)  of    

section6; 

(e) the conditions of service and the salary and allowances of officers and other employees of the 

State Authority under sub-section(6) of section6; 

(f)  the  experience  and  qualifications  of  Secretary  of  the  High  Court  Legal  Services  Committee 

under sub-section(3) of section 8A; 

(g)  the  number  of  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  High  Court  Legal  Services  Committee 
under  sub-section(5)  of  section  8A  and  the  conditions  of  service  and  the  salary  and  allowances 
payable to them under sub-section(6) of that section; 

(h) the number, experience and qualifications of members of the District Authority under clause  

(b) of sub-section(2) of section9; 

(i) the number of officers and other employees of the District Authority under sub-section(5) of 

section9; 

(j) the conditions of service and the salary and allowances of the officers and other employees of 

the District Authority under sub-section(6) of section9; 

(k) the number, experience and qualifications of members of the Taluk Legal Services Committee 

under clause  (b) of sub-section(2) of section 11A; 

(l) the number of officers and other employees of the Taluk Legal Services Committee under sub-

section(3) of section 11A; 

1. Ins. by Act 37 of 2002, s. 6 (w.e.f. 11-6-2002). 

17 

 
                                                           
(m) the conditions of service and the salary and allowances of officers and other employees of the 

Taluk Legal Services Committee under sub-section(4) of section 11A; 

(n) the upper limit of annual income of a person entitling him to legal services under clause  (h) 

of section12, if the case is before a court, other than the Supreme Court; 

(o) the experience and qualifications of other persons of the LokAdalats other than referred to in 

sub-section(4) of section19; 

(p) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed. 

29.  Power  of  Central  Authority  to  make  regulations.—(1)  The  Central  Authority  may,  by 
notification,  make  regulations  not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  rules  made 
thereunder, to provide for all matters for which provisions is necessary or expedient for the purposes of 
giving effect to the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a)  the  powers  and  functions  of  the  Supreme  Court  Legal  Services  Committee  under  sub-

section(1) of section3A; 

(b) the terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of the members and Secretary of the 

Supreme Court Legal Services Committee under sub-section(4) of section3A. 

 29A.  Power  of  State  Authority  to  make  regulations.—(1)  The  State  Authority  may,  by 
notification,  make  regulations  not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of this  Act  and  the  rules  made 
thereunder, to provide for all matters for which provision in necessary or expedient for the purposes of 
giving effect to the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) the other functions to be performed by the State Authority under clause  (d) of sub-section(2) 

of section7; 

(b) the powers and functions of the High Court Legal Services Committee under sub-section(1) of 

section8A; 

(c)  the  number,  experience  and  qualifications  of  members  of  the  High  Court  Legal  Services 

Committee under clause  (b) of sub-section(2) of section8A; 

(d) the terms of office and other conditions relating thereto, of the members and Secretary of the 

High Court Legal Services Committee under sub-section(4) of section8A; 

(e) the term of office and other conditions relating thereto, of the members and Secretary of the 

District Authority under sub-section(4) of section9; 

(f)  the  number,  experience  and  qualifications  of  members  of  the  High  Court  Legal  Services 

Committee under clause  (b) of sub-section(2) of section 8A; 

(g) other functions to be performed by the District Authority under clause  (c) of sub-section(2) of 

section10; 

(h) the term of office and other conditions relating thereto, of members and Secretary of the Taluk 

Legal Services Committee under sub-section(3) of section 11A.] 

 30.  Laying  of  rules  and  regulations.—(1)  Every  rule  made  under  this  Act  by  the  Central 
Government and every regulation made by the Central Authority thereunder shall be laid, as soon as may 
be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days 
which may be comprised in one session, or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry 
of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree 
in  making  any  modification  in  the  rule  or  regulation,  or  both  Houses  agree  that  the  rule  or  regulation 
should not be made, the rule or regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of 

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no  effect,  as  the  case  may  be;  so,  however,  that  any  such  modification  or  annulment  shall  be  without 
prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or regulation. 

(2)  Every  rule  made  under  this  Act  by  a  State  Government  and  every  regulation  made  by  a  State 

Authority thereunder shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the State Legislature. 

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